I'm Still Alive!!!!!

We got to spend Thanksgiving with my entire family – all 20 of us. Wowzers…what a lot of people can come from a little family of 6! Anyhow, it was lovely.   Played baseball for the first time in 6+ years.  I've never been good at it, and was hesitant to play, but I was whacking them balls!  I got 5 or 6 homeruns, even!  Okay, full disclosure statement - the bases were closer than usual, and there was only 3 people playing outfield for most of it, and nobody had gloves on, so no balls were caught, but you know.  I was happy!  Also, my nieces and nephews are just sweeties. Even when they call me "Uncle Kim". ;) Andrew was giving all the younger kids rides on two sleds that were hooked up behind the mower, making sure they all got turns. Isaac got to drive the zero-turn mower all by himself, though his arms were barely long enough! ;) There was much noise and wrestling and book reading and game playing. Lovely time. On Friday morning, we had pancakes and waffles, and I was helping Hannah get her toppings on. She told me 2 different times that I was her "servant". The second time, I took the teaching opportunity and told her that Jesus was a servant, and about how He washed the disciples feet. Hannah interrupted me, "then He got tired of it", so now He wants us to be the servants. Not all the way accurate, but you know…..;) Selah was telling me that it was so funny that either Isaac or Jadelyn say "tank tou" instead of "dank you." Ha! Funny differences in speech make ALL the difference, you know!

Isaac really, really, REALLY wants a car or truck that is battery operated that he can drive. I told him it might cut down on his exercise. Ruby cut in to let me know that it IS exercise to drive one of those cars, because you have to push the pedal down. ;) Isaac did tell David that when he drove someone else’s car, his foot got tired, but he kept on pushing it so he could go.

Overheard Jadelyn and Ruby talking the other day. Jadelyn said, "Wuby, I wuv you. Do you wuv me?" Ruby answered, "yes, but I love Jesus more." Jadelyn then said, "I love Jesus more, too." Aww…(though I’m thinking Ruby’s statement had more to do with her being difficult and not just saying that she loves Jadelyn and leaving it at that. =P Oppositional, much? =P)

When I tell stories about myself, Jadelyn pretty much always asks, "were you my Mommy?" when the story happened. Well, this day, she asked, "were you my Mommy?" and then decided that I have been her Mommy since "when I came alive." Ruby told Jadelyn that she has been alive "since you were in her belly". Jadelyn added that she’s been alive "since I was in the grass." Ooooohhhh…..that kid is still so incredibly random.

One prayertime, Jadelyn was praying along when she got to, "help me not write on my hand with markers. Just crayons. Not crayons, either." Then continued about how I told her "no" and she disobeyed, before asking Jesus to help her obey. I just LOVE listening to kids pray!!!

On Sunday, we were hoping to see Ardi, but alas, she didn’t come, ‘cause Country Life didn’t have her cashews. =( But, Kindra and Eden still came, so that was lovely. We had a nice bike ride and I rather enjoyed having a grown-up to talk to (besides David, of course). Thanks for coming, Kindra! You brightened our day!!! =)

Oh, also on Sunday our neighbor was taking care of the two deer he shot on Friday – getting ‘em all skinned and cut up and stuff. Lovely. =O David, ever the homeschool man, took the kids over several times during the process. The kids were enthralled, though they thought it was gross. That night, we took a little walk down the driveway and found a pile of guts or something in the middle of the driveway. How did they get there? Fall off the back of the neighbor’s truck? Get hauled there by an animal? I don’t know. All I know is that I thought for SURE that it was just a leaf, and was gonna kick at it to prove it to David, but I’m really glad I didn’t! He shone the flashlight on it, and wowzas – grossness. Yeah. On the way back to the house, we found what David thinks was the deer’s tail. I’m not sure, but again…glad I didn’t step on it in the darkness!

Sunday night, we went to Wal-Mart. When we got there and got out of the van, Jadelyn said to David, "I got’cha where I want’cha, and now I’m gonna eat’cha!" before declaring that he was a yummy banana. WHERE DID SHE COME FROM?!?!?! She cracks me up. ;)

At Wal-Mart, we split up – David took Ruby and Isaac, and I took Jadelyn. Now, Jadelyn has the tendency to be a bit embarrassing at Wal-Mart with her loud voice and pointing. Well, Wal-Mart was quite quiet on Sunday. Oh, dear. Right away, it started – Jadelyn pointing at people and loudly discussing what they were doing. It doesn’t help that she can’t think of words real quick lots of times, so she just keeps pointing and stuttering, trying to think of the word. Oye. So, I reminded her quietly that it isn’t nice to point at people. A few minutes later, she starts pointing at the tofu section, asking, "CAN I POINT AT THE FOOD?" I think I told her that I supposed so. Then, she’s pointing at her forehead, "Can I point at THIS person?" Oh, Jadelyn…whatever am I gonna do with you? Yes, she still cracks me up. ;P

One night, Jadelyn was pottying on one potty while David was on the other. "Hey, Daddy and I are twins!" Jadelyn announced rather gleefully. Then, she proceeded to close the toilet lid on her back, much to her delight. Oh, pottying is so fun.

Ha! Just read the next note on my notecard. I don’t know what Ruby was saying this in response to, but it’s just a great line – "I can hardly believe my eyes, I’m so old." Ha! =D

One night at worship time, Ruby was saying how she hopes her nose stops running soon, because "the nostril drops little runny parts…and then I can’t sniff my soft blanket." The dramas of soft-blanket-sniffing continues!

Isaac has taken to calling Jadelyn a "cutie pie" now and then recently. Well, really, he just tells her that she’s a "cutie pie". Way to encourage her vanity, ‘eh? =P Last night, he was telling her that she was a "cutie pie", ‘cause she’s just so cute with the way she looks and the way her hair was that he had to call her pie, "like we eat". Then, he asked if he was a cutie. Yes, my man…you are.

Yesterday, I started teaching Ruby and Isaac how to read music and play the piano with right fingering, and counting and such.  Isaac paid attention for a good 30 minutes and did awesome!  I was so proud!!!  Ruby said she didn't want to learn, but after seeing that David and I were really proud of Isaac, she decided to give it a try.  She lost interest after a shorter time than Isaac, but still did well.  I was so proud!  Now, to keep up the excitement and to keep working with them....=O

Last night, we were talking about Christmas presents and about kids who don't have enough food and such.  I was showing Ruby the World Vision website and discussing things you can buy for other kids - food, clothes, medicine, helping to dig a well, animals, etc., etc.  At first, she was like, "well, I don't want to do anything like that".  Then, at one point, I was reading about how a child dies every 15 seconds because they don't have adequate food.  Then I showed her how long 15 seconds is.  I thought she was going to cry.  She then decided she wanted to help with food or water or clothes.  Not toys, because that's not so important - she just really wants kids not to die.  How sad that I go on living my life like I'm the center of the universe or something, instead of thinking of others - Lord help me!!!!

Speaking of others, last week we learned that our friend, John Lello, had died in Papua New Guinea where he and his family have been for 8 months as missionaries.  I was shocked.  And heartbroken for Pam and the girls.  The kids just couldn't seem to get why I was so sad.  Jadelyn, especially took it to heart, and she's STILL asking me if I'm sad.  We'd only met the Lello's a few years ago, but they are just special people.  Isaac, my shy little man, took a liking to Mr. Lello when they were at our house about a year ago.  Just special people.  If you read this, please, PLEASE take some time to pray for Pam, Abby, and Alissa.  Such precious people.

Yesterday, David banned Jadelyn from playing with the train until the next day. So this morning, Jadelyn told him, "I can play with the train because today is tomorrow." Ha!

Today, Jadelyn quietly came into the kitchen where I was, asking for some help. Not screaming. Just matter of fact asking for help. For what? To get the hair clip on her lip unclipped. Oh, child!

Jadelyn as apparently being a bit crazy today, which prompted Ruby to ask, "what’s her name, ‘crazy loon’ instead of ‘cutie pie’?" Yeah, these kids are fun to listen to. Well, when they’re not screaming and fighting, that is….=P

Bits and Pieces....

David came home on Friday and told the kids that Aunt Debi told him that he should take hot and cold showers to get well. Ruby commented that then there would be a "tornado in your shower." Ha!

On Friday night, I was playing "Egypt to Canaan" with the kids for the first time. Jadelyn lost interest quickly. Ruby and Isaac often required having the Bible verse with the answer in it read to them before they could get the answer. Sometimes several times. With some emphasis on the answer courtesy of Mommy. Guess we'd better work on those listening skills. Anyways, Isaac got the question asking how many Egyptians successfully followed the Israelites across the Red Sea. Isaac: "4? 5? 6?" Oh, boy...;)

Isaac has decided on yet another machine that he will need when he grows up and has his 11 children. A machine to wash baby washcloths fast. For he will use a LOT of them - one for each kid at mealtime, like we do...only he will have a LOT more kids. =) So, this machine will take the washcloth down and then "shoot it out" (I believe that was the term) in just a minute. Speedy machine. Wonder where I could find one of 'em?

Ruby thinks that maybe she will be a "teeth doctor" when she grows up. But probably not because she is going to have kids when she grows up.

We were visiting Tom and Tina on Friday, and they presented each kiddo with their very own Fruit Loop bowl. They said that they had two more for their "other grandkids" (those being the biological ones ;D). We have been so very blessed with neighbors that have "adopted" our kids as their grandkids. The love is mutual, I can assure you. ;)

At lunch on Friday, the kids were being crazy, saying that they had many more grapes than they really had. This went on and on and on and on and on....and then I, standing near the stove with a big spoon in my hand, turned toward the table and simply said, "bonk", gesturing with the spoon like I was bonking them over the head. All three kids erupted into giggles. Man, I don't remember the last time I was that hilarious. =)

Isaac was telling me an angel story the other day. Something about angels stopping lightning bolts from hitting the house, and the angels were getting hit with the lightning but were not hurt. Or something. And the angels were blowing their trumpets at the lightning. "Booo, boo, boooooo!!!"

Jadelyn informed me the other day that she was going to work. I looked over and saw her on the little rocking horse with some toy keys in her hand. I asked her where she worked. "On Sabbath", she said. I asked again, and she told me that she works with Daddy.

Ruby, my 0.18% weight/height percentile or something recently told me something like, "I'm big, tall, and strong." Gotta love her view of herself! =)

On Sabbath night, we went to a baby shower for Ms. Nely at Ms. Hannah's house. Ms. Hannah had arranged for a clown to come and entertain the kids and men. From the stories I've heard, they all had a lot of fun. Jadelyn as a bit apprehensive at first, staying REALLY close to David and saying over and over that she didn't like that man, but eventually she warmed up and was right up there saying what balloon she wanted. Wish I'd have made sure that David had the camera! I missed out.